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BAME in Games network launched to attract more diverse talent to the games industry

BAME in Games network launched to attract more diverse talent to the games industry


London, Thursday 2 June 2016: The United Kingdom games industry today launches an advocacy group to encourage more diverse talent to work in the games and wider entertainment industry. The group will manage a professional network to encourage discussion and collaboration on diversity and make available speakers for conferences and events.

The network is free to join and open to everyone interested in the entertainment sector at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/BAME-in-Games-8459302/about .

Creative Skillset’s Employment Census 2015 for games and other Creative Media sectors published in March showed that the representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups remains disappointingly low at 4.0% down from 4.7% in 2012. The UK average for BAME employment across all industries is 30% in London and 10% nationally.

David Smith, Founder of Women in Games and now BAME in Games, explained “We would like to provide some focus on the talent that the games industry is failing to attract.  Games and the wider entertainment industry should attract the very best from all backgrounds. We want to nurture more talent from minority groups. We can also do more to promote the benefits of a diverse workforce.”
The first Chair of the group is Kish Hirani who has worked at the BBC, THQ, Microsoft and most recently, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. He is supported by two vice chairs, Tanya Laird of Digital Jam and Adam Campbell of Hopster.

Kish Hirani, Chair of BAME in Games commented “Diversity brings so many advantages. It makes creative sense. It makes business sense. And games creators can truly represent the diversity of those who play games. Help us build a network that makes the games industry a place that attracts talented people from all walks of life. We want everyone in games to join us in any capacity they feel comfortable, starting with simply joining our professional network on LinkedIn.”


About BAME in Games  
BAME in Games is an advocacy or special interest group that exists to encourage more diverse talent to work in the games and the wider entertainment industry. The group will manage a professional network to encourage discussion and collaboration on diversity and make available speakers for conferences and events. The network is free to join and open to everyone interested in the entertainment sector athttps://www.linkedin.com/groups/BAME-in-Games-8459302/about

The group also exists to nurture and promote the benefits of diversity and hiring talent from minority groups generally within games and entertainment.
An advisory group lead by a part time Chair and Deputy Chairs, meeting every 3 months, will provide a clear point of contact for companies and organisations seeking to promote ethnic diversity in the games and entertainment sectors.